Acting tutor to the stars back in Rotorua (+video)

Rotorua-born Ken Rea has taught some of the world's most well-known actors including Ewan McGregor, Orlando Bloom and Daniel Craig. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

A London-based acting tutor is revisiting his roots in Rotorua after spending the past 30 years teaching the likes of Orlando Bloom, Ewan McGregor and Daniel Craig.

Rotorua-born Ken Rea has found his way back to the Bay after years of teaching at the prestigious acting school Guildhall in London.

During his time as a senior acting tutor, Mr Rea taught many actors who later became A-list stars, prompting him to write a book about what it takes to make it big in the acting business.

The book, titled The Outstanding Actor: Seven Keys to Success, is set to be released on March 26 and details the seven key qualities actors need to have an exciting and successful career.

"I have always wanted to write a book along these lines and after 30 years of working at Guildhall, I finally decided it was the right time.

"It has taken about two years of fairly intensive work to finish the book. I hope it helps both aspiring and curren t actors to understand what it is that will make them special in such a cut-throat industry."

Mr Rea said as part of the preparation for the book he interviewed high-profile people such as Sir Nicholas Hytner, the director of London's National Theatre, and longstanding English actress Dame Judi Dench.

"By the end of the interview process I had nailed it down to seven key traits actors need to manifest to make it to that A-list standing."
The book received a rave review from Homeland actor Damian Lewis who said the book offered a unique take on how actors could get better and improve their chances of success.

"If we can all perform with half the warmth and generosity, with which Ken has been teaching for the last 30 years, then we will have fulfilled our responsibility as storytellers and audiences all over the world are in for a real treat," Lewis said.

A Rotorua Boys' High School alumni, Mr Rea hadn't been back to Rotorua for 12 years, and said he was excited to see what had changed.

"The first thing we did was go visit Lake Tarawera, then we just left our plans open so we could look around, do some touristy things and just see what had changed in the last 12 years."

Watch Ken Rea at work here: